Apparatus for controlling the environment of a parked vehicle

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for controlling the inside of a parked vehicle particularly a parked truck includes a HVAC unit and electric switching apparatus supported in a parking area with cabling and hosing which connects to the parked vehicle via a head unit. The head unit includes a cover which opens to expose controls housed in said unit utilizing a central processor which in turn communicate for example via the Internet to a server providing for activation of the unit and payment for the services.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to Provisional Application 6/375,038 filedApr. 22, 2002 entitled Apparatus for Controlling the Environment of aParked Vehicle which is now pending.

BACKGROUND

Long haul truckers frequently spend the night in the cabs of theirtrucks. In fact, many trucks are designed with sleeping areas. Thisnecessitates environmental control and specifically heating and cooling.In order to provide this heating or cooling, the truck drivers generallyleave the trucks running overnight to utilize the truck's heating or airconditioning system. The cumulative pollution created by these vehiclesrunning overnight is very significant.

Further, although such trucks are in a position to receive radiosignals, they are frequently located in positions where televisionsignals are unavailable or weak and certainly no telephone connectionsare available to the truck itself.

Providing these services to a parked truck involves overcoming manypractical and physical problems. Payment for these services is a concernas well as physically fitting the equipment needed to provide theseservices in a small space is problematic. Protecting this equipment fromthe environment is also a concern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method for controlling the inside environment of a vehicle such as atruck, RV or other vehicle. More particularly, it is an object of thepresent invention to not only provide heating and air conditioning butother conveniences such as electricity, phone hookups, computer hookups,videos such as for continuing education instruction or entertainment anda variety of related services, providing such services within a limitedaccess space, i.e., through the window of a truck or a small accessdoor. Further, additional services may be provided for the vehicle,including the ability to watch television, the ability to communicateand even the ability to pay for the services. These additional servicesmay be delivered through wires or with a wireless system.

Further, the present invention protects the equipment from theenvironment.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be furtherappreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawingsin which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck with the apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present inventionattached to a window adapter.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus-similar to FIG. 3showing the cover of the device closed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present inventionattached to a window adapter with the cover closed.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a disassemble perspective view of the apparatus of the presentinvention without the cover.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at lines 8-8 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one alternative form of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second alternative form of theinvention.

FIG. 11A-11E is are a series of perspective views depicting theinstallation of the environmental control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is an apparatus 10 forcontrolling the internal environment of a vehicle such as a truck 11shown in a parking space 12. It includes an environmental control (HVAC)unit 14 which is suspended above the ground on a support 15 resting onposts 16. The apparatus further includes a ventilation head 18 which asshown is attached to the passenger side window 19 of the cab of a truck20 using a template. The head 18 is connected to the HVAC unit 14 bycoaxial conduit 22 which runs from the head 18 to the HVAC unit 14 andby an electrical cable 24 which again runs from the support alongsidethe coaxial conduit 22 to the head and can be held in a sleeve connectedto conduit 22. This is attached to a breakaway connector 21 near support15.

The head 18 as shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the window 19 of a truckcab 20. However, it can also be attached at any location to the truckprovided there is a receptacle within the truck adapted to support theventilation head. FIGS. 9 and 10 show embodiments in which theventilation head 18 is attached to a side wall 26 of the truck cab atthe door 28 of the sleeper compartment 30 as is disclosed in more detailbelow.

Head 18 includes a body portion 32 and a cover 34 which closes and sealsthe face 36 of the body portion 32. These are attached by a hinge 31which preferably can be adjusted to vary the tension. As shown in FIG.7, the body portion 32 includes an inner housing portion 38 attached toan outer housing portion 42 with a gasket 44 between the two. Attachedto the outer housing 42 is a circular handle 41 which is held onto theouter housing by first and second bracket members 48, 52. The firstbracket member 48 includes one low voltage connection 54 and two highvoltage connectors 56, 58 connectors. These are all preferably watertight connectors. The bracket 48 includes a removable service cover 53.The second bracket 52 includes an exterior GFI A/C outlet 62.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner housing 38 has an inner wall 64 andan outer wall 66 with an annular passageway 68 there between. Aninnercircular conduit 72 is supported by first, second and third supportmembers 74 which extend to the inner wall 64 of the upper housing.Extended from this circular conduit 72 are upper and lower walls 76, 78and face 82 which supports first and second A/C electrical outlets 84,86. Fan 82 is a removable service cover. Also as shown on face 82 are aphone connector 88 and an ethernet connection 92.

Outer wall 66 has a lower stepped annular portion 94 which is covered bygasket 44. An annular screen 98 is positioned to cover the area 102between the inner conduit 72 and the inner wall 64 of the inner housing.Area 102 is the return air flow passage for the system as indicated byarrow 101.

Abutting the gasket 44 is the upper edge 104 of the outer housing 42.The outer housing 32 includes circular wall 106 which forms a conduit.Inside the conduit 106 of the lower housing is a lesser diameter conduit107 which attaches to the inner circular wall 72 of the upper housing.

Extended from the conduit 106 is an annular extension 108 which leads tothe outermost or exterior wall portion 112 having edge 104. Thisprovides an annular passage 114 which communicates with the innerpassage 68 of the inner housing 38. The outer housing 42 furtherincludes first and second handle receiving members 116, 118 which eachinclude semi-circular arcuate channels 122, 124. The ring shaped handle41 is held within this groove by brackets 48 and 52, each of which havehandle recessive grooves 126, 128.

Extending up from the handle are first and second prongs 129, 130. Eachprong includes an outwardly extended tab 132, 134 and an inwardlyextended tab 136, 138. The first prong 129 further includes a planararcuate member 140 perpendicular to and welded to the inside surface ofthe prong 129.

The first handle receiving member 116 further supports first and secondspring biased switches 142, 144. The first and second spring biasedswitches include first and second flag-shaped probe members 146, 148.(See FIGS. 11A-11C) These probe members are fixed within the springbiased switches and are both biased in the direction of arrow 150. Thefirst probe 146 includes an extended portion 152 and a lower enlargedportion 154. When the first spring biased switch is extended, in otherwords in a non-compressed state, it is positioned in slot 156 in arcuatemember 140. This prevents the handle 41 from rotating. When this switch142 is compressed, the enlarged portion 154 of the probe 146 will movebelow the arcuate plate member 140 and allow the handle 41 to rotate inthe direction of arrow 158.

The probe 148 of the second spring biased switch 144 has an extendedportion 162 and an enlarged portion 164. The enlarged portion 164 has aslot 166. Slot 166 will allow enlarged portion 164 to ride on thearcuate plate member 140 when the switch is in a compressed state. Whenenlarged portion 164 is aligned with the slot 156 in the arcuate plate140, i.e., when the probe 148 moves in the direction of arrow 150, theenlarged portion moves into slot 156 stopping further rotation of thehandle 46.

When assembled, the prongs 129, 130 extend upwardly through the outerhousing into the inner housing with the tabs 132 and 134 extendingthrough slots 172, 174 in the outer wall of the inner housing. Tabs 136and 138 in turn extend through slots 176, 178 in the inner wall of theinner housing near its upper edge 180. These prongs latch and unlatchthe cover 34 and prevent the unit from being removed when the cover 34is open as is explained below.

The first handle cover 48 includes three electrical connections whichare adapted to receive three separate sets of wires. The first set ofwires connect through fitting 54 and are low voltage wiring such astelephone connections, ethernet connections, television or radio antennafor cable. The second and third set attach via fitting 56, 58 andprovide high voltage electric. The electrical wires would run throughthe bracket 48 around the handle 41 into the annular passage 114 in thelower housing through the inner passage of the upper housing to thecentral shroud.

The head connects to the HVAC unit utilizing a coaxial flexible duct 22.The outer wall 120 of the coaxial duct attaches to the exterior surface122 of the large conduit 106 of the outer housing. The inner conduit 123is attached to the lesser diameter conduit 107 which itself is attachedto the inner housing. The ratio of the cross-sectional inner conduit tothe outer conduit should be about 1 to about 3.

The head 18 includes the cover 34 which is attached by hinge 120 to theupper housing 38. The head 18 is attached to the window of a vehicleusing a template or adapter 126 as shown in FIG. 1. The use of anadaptor allows one head design to attach to any vehicle window. Thisadaptor 126 has an opening 128 which mates with the head 18 and anexterior configuration which mates with the window opening providing atight seal. Spring biased latches 125 hold the head in place.

The opening 128 through the adapter 126 includes upper and lower cut outportions 132, 134 adapted to permit tabs 132 and 134 to pass through theadaptor. When this occurs, the first spring biased switch 142 iscompressed by the adapter, forcing the first probe 146 below the arcuateplate 140 permitting the handle to rotate. Rotation of the handle willcause the tabs 132, 134 to rotate out of alignment with cut out portions133, 135 where they engage the adaptor holding it in position. The uppertabs rotate in slots 176 and 178 within the inner wall of the innerhousing moving out of engagement with latch members 166 and 168 in thecover permitting the cover to open.

Rotating handle 41 will align the slot in arcuate member 140 with theenlarged portion of probe 148. As the cover opens, the probe 148 of thesecond spring biased switch moves in the direction of arrow 150. At thispoint, the enlarged portion of the second probe 148 rests in the slot156 in the arcuate plate 140 member preventing further rotation. Thisprevents the head from being separated from the adaptor if the cover isopened. This protects the head from the environment.

Likewise to remove the head from the template, the cover must first beclosed which will compress spring switch 144 allowing the handle torotate which will hold the cover in a closed position as the head isremoved from the template.

The cover includes a variety of different features including a USB-port182, a connector 184 for the truck computer, a credit card reader 186, atouch pad display screen 188 and a plurality of different dedicatedbuttons or switches used to control the unit and to activate variousfeatures of the unit.

The controls on the cover activate and control the functioning of theunit. Head 18 has a central processing unit (not shown) which can beprogrammed to function as desired and to provide all desired Internetcommunication and functions. Although the particular configuration ofthe head can vary dramatically depending upon the desired functions, thedevice as shown has a variety of beneficial features.

For example, it includes a touch switch 190 which turns the screen lighton and off so that the head can remain open during the night withoutilluminating the cab. It further includes an adjacent LED 191 which willhelp the occupant locate the light on/off switch in the dark. There isalso a dedicated help button 194 which can initiate step by stepprocedures for the functioning of the head. There is also a menu buttonwhich basically takes one to the top level of the menu. A dedicatedthermostat button 196 activates the screen to show the temperature andprovide for increasing or decreasing the temperature within the cab aswell as activating or deactivating the fan. Also switches 198 to activethe web browser, messaging systems, catalog-type shopping, and the likecan be included. Finally a checkout button can also be provided. Springswitch 144 can also act as a check out switch. Thus when the head isremoved from the template, the unit is deactivated and the customer isbilled.

Further, the connection 184 for the truck's onboard computer permitscommunication between the truck's computer and a central diagnostic unitvia the Internet or through telephone lines.

The window adapter can be positioned into the window of the truck bysimply lowering the window, placing the adapter in position and raisingthe window until it is held tight by the upper pressure of the windowagainst the template. This is preferably done before the ventilationhead is attached to the adapter. The ventilation head would then beplaced in the opening in the adapter. Since the adapter rests againstthe gasket, a relatively air tight seal is formed.

The present invention includes many different optional features whichimprove the overall function of the present invention. As shown in FIG.1, the device includes a breakaway system at the HVAC support. Thus, ifa truck driver inadvertently drives away with the unit attached, thelines will break away at the upper area and thus no live electricalwires will be at ground level.

The electrical lines connect to a central switching unit. Theelectricity to the head particularly the 11 OV is only activated orprovided once the unit is installed and activated (generally using acredit card). This would obviously prevent theft of electricity as wellas providing an added safety feature. The unit also shows a 220 v.outlet 208 designed to run the reefer unit of a trailer. This also wouldbe activated via the head unit.

Further, when the unit itself is disconnected and the head closed, aircan be recirculated through the inner tube and return through the outertube recirculating air within the hose to maintain flexibility inextremely cold temperatures. It would also potentially preventintroducing very cold air into the cab of a truck initially. This can beactivated either locally or through a central server.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, instead of attaching the present unit to thewindow of a truck or vehicle, it can be attached to a wall of a vehicleusing a semi-permanent adapter. This adapter 200 is a rectangular unitwhich is generally bolted or generally fixed to the side wall of the cabof the truck or cab of the vehicle. It can also be formed at thefactory. Adapter 200 includes a door 202 covering a round opening 204which corresponds in size to the exterior shape of the head 18. Thus, itacts just like an adapter 30. Instead of inserting the head 18 into theadapter which is in the window, one simply opens the door 202 andinserts the head 18 into this opening 204 and the unit is operated inthe same manner as previously described.

The present invention has been described with respect to a separate headunit which is permanently attached to an HVAC unit. It is also withinthe scope of the present invention to permanently mount the head withinthe truck such as through a side wall and simply connect the head to theHVAC unit at the truck stop. Thus, the air handling hoses and electricalconnections would simply plug into a permanently attached unit on thetruck. Once the connections were made, the truck driver could thenactivate the HVAC unit and other options such as Internet connection,electricity to the reefer unit in the same manner as described with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. Further, with respect toall communication systems, the present invention has been describedwherein the communication lines are hard wired into the head. Obviouslythis can be conducted using wireless communications if desired.

This has been a description of the present invention along with thepreferred method of practicing the invention. However, the inventionitself should only be defined by the appended claims wherein we claim:

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A ventilation system adapted to attach to a vehiclecomprising: controls adapted to activate air circulation through a bodyportion said body portion adapted to attach to a vehicle; and a coaxialair circulation conduit connecting said body portion to an aircirculation unit.
 20. (canceled)
 21. A system to provide a plurality ofservices to a parked vehicle comprising a head unit adapter to attach tosaid vehicle; said head unit adapted to communicate to a central server;high voltage outlets associated with said head unit which are normallyswitched off; wherein communication with said server activates saidoutlets. 22-30. (canceled)